ACJC H1 History SBQ Writing Guide

ACJC/History SBQ Writing Guide ACJC/History Dept/JC1 History/2025 1 Anglo-Chinese Junior College History Department Source-Based Case Study (SBQ) Writing Guide ‘To accept anything on trust, to preclude critical application and development, is a grievous sin; and in order to apply and develop, “simple interpretation” is obviously not enough.’ -Vladimir Lenin Contents Page A. Overview of the Source-Based Case Study (SBQ) 2 B. Mark Levels 3 C. General Principles & Approach for SBQ Responses 6 D. Tips to Tackle SBQ 15 E. SBQ Checklist 18

ACJC/History SBQ Writing Guide ACJC/History Dept/JC1 History/2025 2 A. Overview of the Source-Based Case Study (SBQ) I. Introduction 1. The SBQ for the GCE ‘A’ Level Examination is a COMPULSORY section. You will have a maximum of SIX sources (for H2) and FIVE sources (for H1) of which one (or even two!) may be a pictorial or statistical source. You must read all of them before attempting the question. 2. The SBQ section is divided into sub-questions (a) and (b): a. Part (a): This is a 10-mark question that requires you to compare and contrast 2 sources based on a given assertion. • For example, you may have a question that asks you to: “ Compare and contrast the evidence provided in Sources A and B on the importance of economic matters in Europe to the Soviet Union and the USA in 1947.” b. Part (b): This is a 30-mark question that requires you to use and evaluate ALL the sources in order to TEST the HYPOTHESIS. • The question or the statement in the question is known as the HYPOTHESIS/ASSERTIONs. • For example, you may have a question that asks you “ How far do source A-F support the assertion that it was differences over ideology that caused the Cold War?”. • To test the hypothesis means to argue for whether the sources SUPPORT or CHALLENGE the hypothesis (think of this as confirming or disproving the claim of the hypothesis). • At the higher levels of response, you will need to argue whether the sources OVERALL support or challenge the hypothesis, OR that neither group reliably supports nor challenges, OR provide an ALTERNATIVE historical interpretation. 3. Your responses are assessed using holistic level descriptors, which establishes the demands expected for each mark level. • Each mark level highlights characteristics that students’ responses may demonstrate. • Your answers are marked on a ‘best fit’ approach, so your answer may contain a majority but not ALL of the characteristics for that level. • Use the mark levels in the following section to understand how you should write your SBQ responses to hit the higher levels.

ACJC/History SBQ Writing Guide ACJC/History Dept/JC1 History/2025 3 B. Level Descriptors for SBQ Responses Part A: 10 marks Level Marks Descriptor L3 8-10 The answer will make effective use of both sources. There will be clear explanation on the similarities and differences between the sources and this will be supported with source details. Insight into the reasons for their similarities and/or differences will be provided. Towards the upper end of the level, the answer will demonstrate developed evaluation of both sources, providing critical insight into the reasons for their similarities and differences. Towards the lower end of the level, the insight into the reasons for similarities and differences may be uneven. Alternatively, the answer may provide critical insight into the reasons for only either the similarities or differences. L2 4-7 The answer will use both sources. There will be clear explanation on the similarities and differences between the sources and this will be supported with source details. Towards the upper end of the level, the answer will use details from each source to explain the similarities and diffe rences between the sources. Answers which explain either similarities or differences but provide critical insight into the reasons for the similarities or differences may be found in this level. Towards the lower end of the level, the answer may explain either similarities or differences between the sources. Alternatively, the answer could treat the sources separately with most or all of the comparison implicit. L1 1-3 The answer will describe the content of each source and is likely to be characterised by paraphrasing or quotation. Very simple comparisons may be made and these are not developed (e.g. that one source is a letter and the other is a speech). Answers that are simply based on contextual knowledge, with no source use, should be credited at this level. Towards the upper end of the level, there may be some attempt to explain the similarities and/or differences between the sources, but any explanation will be confused or partial. L0 0 No evidence submitted or answer does not address the question.

ACJC/History SBQ Writing Guide ACJC/History Dept/JC1 History/2025 4 Part B: 30 marks Level Marks Level Marks Descriptor L5 25-30 The answer will treat sources as a set and make very good use of the sources. It will demonstrate a good understanding of the question. Sources may be cross-referenced to support and/or challenge the hypothesis. The approach will show critical awareness and the sources will be evaluated in context in order to make a judgement and reach a conclusion on how far the sources can be said to support the premise of the question. Towards the u pper end of the level, the answer will present a sustained analytical argument and reach a supported conclusion. Towards the lower end of the level the answer will demonstrate many of these features but may be less even or convincing in their approach. L4 19-24 The answer will treat sources as a set and make good use of the sources. It will demonstrate a clear understanding of the question. Sources may be cross-referenced to support and/or challenge the hypothesis. There will be an attempt to evaluate the sources in context but there will be gaps, unevenness and a lack of balance. Towards the upper end of the level, the answer may begin to formulate a judgement in relation to the question although this is likely to be partial and incomplete. Towards the lower end of the level, the answer will contain some evaluation of the source material but is likely to be uneven or lacking in balance. L3 13-18 The answer will begin to treat sources as a set although they may still be taken at face value. It will demon strate some understanding of the question. Some sources may be cross - referenced to support and/or challenge the hypothesis. There will be an attempt to evaluate sources through references to the source content and/or provenance , but the sources will not be placed in context. Towards the upper end of the level, the answer will make a case to support and challenge the statement in question, developing its points through accurate references to the source content and/or provenance. Such an answer is likely to use all of the sources and may make cross -references to support its ideas. Towards the lower end of the level, some sources may be neglected or used in a way which is not valid. The support/challenge element of the responses may also be uneven. L2 7-12 The answer will use relevant information from sources at face value to support and/or challenge the hypothesis. Sources may be used in isolation. The answer may demonstrate some awareness of provenance of the sources but evaluation of the sources is unlikely.

ACJC/History SBQ Writing Guide ACJC/History Dept/JC1 History/2025 5 Towards the upper end of the level, the answer will be balanced, using most of the sources. There may be some attempt at evaluation that is unsuccessful. Towards the lower end of the level, the answer may be one -sided or use a limited range